In view of its immense popularity, Facebook has been facing a lot of security threats from . These days, however, Facebook has been introducing a lot of security features to help protect its users. A while back, it announced the Facebook AntiVirus Marketplace.

Malware Checkpoint for Facebook

Facebook has now announced one more feature called the Malware Checkpoint for Facebook. Previously, if you suspected you may have malware installed on your device, you would either need to run anti-virus on your device or wait until Facebook identified an actionable threat. Now, with the introduction of this new self-enrollment Malware Checkpoint, you will be able to pro-actively obtain your choice of a free anti-virus product to scan and clean your system.

It works like this. If you feel that you Facebook account has been compromised – probably due to a malware infection on your computer you can visit the checkpoint to get your computer scanned free of cost. Sure, you can always run your own antivirus and download and use any other stand-alone solution, but Facebook makes it a bit easier for you.

This is how it works. If you are concerned that your device may have been infected by malware, can visit on.fb.me/infectedMSE or on.fb.me/infectedMcA.

The McAfee option will download a small program onto your Windows computer to perform a one-time scan of your system for malware. It will not interfere with your existing anti-virus or other security products. After it scans your system, it will give you the option to automatically or manually remove the files it flags as malicious.

Read: What To Do When Facebook Account Is Hacked.

The Microsoft Security Essentials option is a full anti-virus product. Upon download and install, it will add anti-virus software to your computer that will continue to protect your system with the latest anti-virus signatures from Microsoft.

Coming back … you will be asked if you want to secure your Facebook account.

Click on Continue if you think someone may have used your Facebook without your permission.

You account will be temporarily locked. I think the account is locked with the use of a Cookie, because I was able to log into the account using another browser.

You will also be told how you may have been infected.

When you click on Next, you will be offered a download of Microsoft Security Essentials and McAfee’s Scan and Repair depending on which link you clicked in the beginning.

Click on Download and begin scan will download the security software – and the scan will run.

Read: Internet Privacy: We Know What You Are Doing On The Web…Really.

Incidentally, if you have tried this feature, just to check it out, you may find yourself being locked out of your Facebook account. I have no idea after what time the Cookie will expire. So in this scenario, I recommend you empty your Cookies folder. That should get you back in.